Hairy For A Day: A Testimonial

January 28, 1993|By Ron Silverman.

I kept telling myself that this was why I had gotten into journalism: the public's right-perhaps more important, the public's need-to know.

It was because of that conviction that neither the list of ingredients ("Propane, butane, isobutane . . .") nor the cautionary note ("WARNING: FLAMMABLE!") could keep me from pushing the edge of the journalistic envelope (though I did warn my wife and son to stand back in case I went up in flames) by using the GLH Formula Number 9 Hair System from Ronco and reporting to you that it really works!

Sort of.

First let me say that the reaction to my new sprayed-on hair was nearly unanimous.

But my boss was in the minority at work, as colleagues commented favorably and told each other to "check out Ron's head." (About "Ron's head": Its receding hairline and advancing bald spot have not yet met, so it couldn't be mistaken for the follicly impaired dome of, say, Joe Garagiola. On the other hand, neither could it be mistaken for the amply endowed pate of, for example, Mel Gibson.)

My qualified endorsement of the stuff is based partly on the fact that I didn't choose exactly the right color-or colors-to match my hair. Apparently I'm not simply a silver-black but one of those people who need to mix and match. In my case, using a can of white with the silver-black probably would have been ideal.

Also, I obviously don't know if this is the best way for everyone to attain that full-head-of-hair look. Your best bet might be a hair-growth stimulant like Rogaine, hair plugs or membership in the Hair Club for Men.

But if you're considering ordering the GLH (for Great Looking Hair, of course) package, which includes a "hair cleanser" (shampoo) and "finishing shield" (protective spray-on coating), here's some advice:

- If you're completely bald, forget it. There has to be some hair in or around the spot you want to cover, or else you'll just be spraying your head with makeup-and it'll look like it.

- If you use it and go out in the rain, you'll need to cover your head. This stuff is water-soluble powder, and you'll look pretty silly if your head starts to run.

- If you use it, keep your head away from open flames (you didn't really need to be told that, did you?).

If you're still not sure this is for you, here's a bit of information from a brochure about the product that might help you decide, for or against: